Tag Archive for camellia senesis

it’s likely that tea tasting in the light of day may lead to a clearer, scientific and objective review…this does not always however, allow for the mood and mystery of time and place…(but certainly makes it easier to photograph…!)

often for me the times post 10pm allow the calm, quiet and stillness of myself, and surrounds, to backdrop the tasting experience and allow the tea to talk…subjective

translation of tea talk too can find itself easier (at least to write, if not to read) and the tone generally more fun and floral than a drier, more objective (and certainly still relevant) review…

this state is not, of course, always restricted to late evening but a reminder for me to find a few minutes out of the day to really enjoy these simple pleasures….(and hence possibly avoid the madness of tea slurping sleep deprivation,…but anyway…)

and so this eve more sample teas–

Darjeeling Second Flush Oolong

(thursday seems to have come early this week…?!)…so for tonights supping pleasure …
first a beautiful Darjeeling Second Flush Oolong– while not in the classic Chinese or Taiwanese style, to the nose and tongue this super quality tea screamed “fresh”…fairly delicate in taste and gentle in colour of liquor, steeping saw it awaken and reveal a leaf recently picked and delicately preserved..
i am continually amazed by the ability to unlock so many tastes and sensual experiences when water is added to tea…
(luckily i suppose, my life would be fairly dull if all teas were dull, stale, broken and bagged…the beauty of this tea begins with the dry leaf- obviously carefully picked and processed, full of whole leaf and tasty tips….now, what’s next….?!)

Darjeeling Golden Delight Second Flush

so for dessert…
another Darjeeling Second Flush, this time Golden Delight–
as mentioned previously, i am slowly getting a grip on these golden beauties, from Nepal, to Darjeeling, to China there are many common characteristics in tone, taste and colour and they can all handle a handful of judicious (experimental…?!) baths…
from 90deg.C and rising with length of submersion this tea reminded me (and possibly some older Aussies) of Acta-vite- malty and toasty with a hint of the bitterness of cacao…yum (no super sweet Milo here..!)
as you can see, the dry leaf is full of buds, covered in pretty golden hairs that infuse to reveal an even, chocolatey looking needle and a beautifully dark coppered brew, full bodied and tasty…
see the The Tea CatcherHimalayan Shangrila Golden Tips for more info on beautiful golden/black tea in stock now…

a few shots of the action The Tea Catcher style at the Market Shed at Holland St, City…thanks again to all the fine punters and stallholders and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year….oh last minute#presents still available if needed….!
( am happy to courier ) http://theteacatcher.com.au/?page_id=16

The Tea Catcher and stall, cultivated chaos..
(and cheerier than looks…! (see next photo…!)
Thanks to all who came past for a chat and to enjoy a sip of tea, iced or warm…….cheers and enjoy the holidays!

Samples no more, all of these tea accessories on the shelf in multiple numbers…(and a little more is still to come…)
though some 3 pieces, some 20, get in fast if keen….a perfect #gift..orders over $50 will get to you, if local enough, before the 25th…!
some great teas to be posted ASAP too to drown in these lovely pots…
enjoy…

(before they make the shop just send us a word if keen theteacatcher@gmail.com)

many old faves (inc. org green, org first flush.silver tips, earl grey etc) as well as some great new ones (org oolongs, new first, second and autumn flushes, another white tea and more…stay tuned…!

rough and ready enough to open now after leaving Katmandu and passing through both Bancock and Singapore in a careful hurry to get the freshness to us ASAP…

and first into the pot- Jun Chiyabari Himalayan Jade Hand-rolled Organic 2nd flush
Himalayan Jade J-31A, 2013
What a beaut…! Glorious leaf after 5 big minutes under water….still heaps to go i feel and this wonderful tea will take a few steeps in the future…Tea of the highest quality…..!

NB due to the fluctuations in the $A prices of the new season teas will likely rise a little, so head to the shop now or the markets thursdays and sundays, and help clean the shelves and grab some bargains….

The 200g teas will exit the online store soon to make room for new teas but bulk prices always available from theteacatcher@gmail.com

a sneeky quick one before sundown…and surprise..!

i can’t purport to be an expert on Chinese black/red teas but the quick tasting cup of 2013 Simao Gao Shan Hong Cha from Yunnan was fab…rich, smooth/unctuous with no bitterness or astringency and a lip smacking fruity follow through…cool…

aromatic dry, this rare red tea comes from the high mountain of the Simao area, picked in early April…

aromatic dry, this rare red tea comes from the high mountain of the Simao area, picked in early April…

Zhangping is famous for Shui Xian oolong tea which is very different in manner and taste from Wuyi Shui Xian. Fresh leaves are picked from late September to early October and there are eight steps must be done over the half month production period. The tea is greenish with slight browning of low level oxidation,while the brews were light golden with a fresh flowery aroma and spring honey fragrance, satisfying and well rounded in mouth.

…it drank well, to 4-5 pots…as the pot/fairness cup warm for the next new offering…